5 ms·

The uncomfortable question that needs asking here is why are all these cities hurting for money so badly and the answer is us. We as taxpayers are constantly de

The uncomfortable question that needs asking here is why are all these cities hurting for money so badly and the answer is us. We as taxpayers are constantly demanding and electing politicians who promise (and deliver) tax cuts. Then we turn around and bitch because potholes don't get fixed. If you want your Government to run well, you need to goddamn pay for it. People need to grow up.

greedo 11y ago
If you look at Federal revenues in constant dollars, other than three years during GWB's first term and the crash of 2009, tax revenues have risen steadily. We don't have a revenue problem, we have a spending problem. Average spending per person when you combine Federal/State/Local is over $20K.
- FussyZeus 11y ago
  You think $20k is enough for every road, electrical line, sewer and misc. utilities that serve your home? Not to mention paying the officers that protect you (in theory anyway), the firefighters that are ready 24/7 to put your house out, the teachers who educate your children, on and on and on? Federal spending is out of control (mostly in defense) but local spending, the spending that actually matters? You think the measly share of that $20k that your local town gets is nearly enough to cover all that?
  - greedo 11y ago
    Oh I pay for my utilities as well, those aren't payed by the government. And as the downvotes rain upon my karma, so be it. Yes, $20k per man, woman, and child is plenty for the government to have. And if you think the problem with the Federal budget, you need to take a closer look at how much we're paying in entitlements...
    - FussyZeus 11y ago
      Except "entitlements" refers to everything from welfare (which is what I'm assuming you're REALLY talking about) to insurance for Government employees, not the least of which are our soldiers, benefits to veterans and all the systems they rely upon, etc. etc. The other thing, Defense, goes to a 12 billion dollar plane that's never flown a single mission, a shitload of the most sophisticated and expensive armaments known to mankind, and on and on. One of these is necessary, the other is really up for debate.
      - greedo 11y ago
        What $12B plane are you referring to?

greedo 11y ago

If you look at Federal revenues in constant dollars, other than three years during GWB's first term and the crash of 2009, tax revenues have risen steadily. We don't have a revenue problem, we have a spending problem. Average spending per person when you combine Federal/State/Local is over $20K.

FussyZeus 11y ago
You think $20k is enough for every road, electrical line, sewer and misc. utilities that serve your home? Not to mention paying the officers that protect you (in theory anyway), the firefighters that are ready 24/7 to put your house out, the teachers who educate your children, on and on and on? Federal spending is out of control (mostly in defense) but local spending, the spending that actually matters? You think the measly share of that $20k that your local town gets is nearly enough to cover all that?
- greedo 11y ago
  Oh I pay for my utilities as well, those aren't payed by the government. And as the downvotes rain upon my karma, so be it. Yes, $20k per man, woman, and child is plenty for the government to have. And if you think the problem with the Federal budget, you need to take a closer look at how much we're paying in entitlements...
  - FussyZeus 11y ago
    Except "entitlements" refers to everything from welfare (which is what I'm assuming you're REALLY talking about) to insurance for Government employees, not the least of which are our soldiers, benefits to veterans and all the systems they rely upon, etc. etc. The other thing, Defense, goes to a 12 billion dollar plane that's never flown a single mission, a shitload of the most sophisticated and expensive armaments known to mankind, and on and on. One of these is necessary, the other is really up for debate.
    - greedo 11y ago
      What $12B plane are you referring to?